Lesson 26: Doctrine and Covenants 12–17; Joseph Smith—History 1:66–75

Doctrine and Covenants 17

The Three Witnesses

The Lord promised Joseph Smith that three others would be witnesses of the gold plates. Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris were called of God to be these witnesses. Through their faith, they were visited by the angel Moroni and heard the Savior’s voice declaring what they saw was true. This lesson can help students strengthen their own witness of the Book of Mormon as they study the testimonies of the Three Witnesses.

Student preparation: You could invite students to search ChurchofJesusChrist.org, looking for information about the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, and to come prepared to share what they found.

Possible Learning Activities

Witnesses

To introduce the role of witnesses, you could invite three students to be witnesses. One way to do this is to conceal an item in a bag and invite one student to look at it and describe the item. Ask the class members if they believe the students. Invite other students to be a second and third witness. Discuss why having multiple witnesses is helpful.

Witnesses play an important role in Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation. Read Doctrine and Covenants 6:28, looking for what the Lord taught about witnesses (see also 2 Corinthians 13:1).

• What are some examples of witnesses in the Church?

• Why do you think the Savior provides multiple witnesses of His work?

The Three Witnesses

Joseph Smith knew through the Book of Mormon and revelations that the Lord would allow other individuals to see the gold plates. He knew that three of the witnesses would see them through the power of God (see 2 Nephi 27:12–13; Ether 5:2–4; Doctrine and Covenants 5:11–15). Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris each had an inspired desire to be one of the witnesses. Each played an important role in the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.

You could show the images of the Three Witnesses or write their names on the board. A student could read the answers, and the class could say the matching witness. Or you could give students the quiz. The correct answers are 1. B, 2. C, 3. A.

Match each of the Three Witnesses with the correct detail from their life.

1. Oliver Cowdery

2. David Whitmer

3. Martin Harris

1. Provided financing for the printing of the Book of Mormon

2. Served as Joseph’s principal scribe for most of the Book of Mormon translation

3. Invited Joseph Smith to complete the translation of the Book of Mormon in his family’s home

Read Doctrine and Covenants 17:1–2, looking for what the Lord told the Three Witnesses they would see.

• What do you know about any of these items?

• What did the Lord require of these men to see these items?

Read Doctrine and Covenants 17:3–9, looking for what responsibility the Three Witnesses would have after seeing the plates.

What responsibility do we have when the Lord gives us witnesses of divine truths?

Help students identify the principle: After the Lord blesses us with a witness of the truth, we have a responsibility to testify of it.

You might want to invite students to mark in verse 6 how the Savior is an example of this truth.

Why do you think it is significant that the Savior gave His witness of the Book of Mormon?

“The Testimony of the Three Witnesses”

Read “The Testimony of Three Witnesses,” located in the introductory pages of the Book of Mormon, looking for what they bore testimony of.

• What do you feel is significant in their testimony?

To see a depiction of the experience of the Three Witnesses, you could show the video “A Day for the Eternities” (23:09; watch from time code 15:01 to 17:55), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

While students read “The Testimony of Three Witnesses,” you could invite them to write on the board words or phrases that declare the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Discuss what students wrote on the board. It may be helpful to point out that the Three Witnesses had multiple spiritual examples. In addition to Joseph Smith’s witness, they saw the angel Moroni and heard the Savior’s voice declaring to them that the work was true.

• What can we learn from the Three Witnesses about gaining our own witness that the Book of Mormon is true?

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency testified of the power of their witness. Read the following statement or watch the video “An Enduring Testimony of the Mission of the Prophet Joseph” (17:32; watch from time code 4:18 to 5:43).

Those you love can have more than the physical evidence given those witnesses by what they saw and heard. Those Three Witnesses had something more, something we all need. The Holy Ghost bore witness to their minds and hearts that what they saw and heard was true. The Spirit told them that the angel was from God and that the voice was that of the Lord Jesus Christ. That witness of the Spirit was given to them and many who were not there. It is a witness that can, if we qualify for the companionship of the Holy Ghost, be ours and stay with us forever.

The Three Witnesses never denied their testimony of the Book of Mormon. They could not because they knew it was true. They made sacrifices and faced difficulties beyond what most people ever know. Oliver Cowdery gave the same testimony about the divine origin of the Book of Mormon as he lay dying. But in the times of trial, they wavered in their faith that Joseph was still God’s prophet and that the only way to come unto the Savior was through His restored Church. That they continued to affirm what they saw and heard in that marvelous experience, during long periods of estrangement from the Church and from Joseph, makes their testimony more powerful. (Henry B. Eyring, “An Enduring Testimony of the Mission of the Prophet Joseph,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2003, 90)

• How does “The Testimony of Three Witnesses” impact your own witness of the Book of Mormon? of Jesus Christ?

• What are some ways we can share our witness of the Savior and the Book of Mormon?

Consider inviting students to share their witness of the Savior and the Book of Mormon. One way is to invite students to write down what they would say if their own testimony of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon were printed for the world. You could encourage students to share their testimony with the class or with another person. You could also share your testimony.

Additional Resources

Where can I learn more about the Three Witnesses?

• Church History Topics, “Witnesses of the Book of Mormon,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org/study/history/topics

• Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days, vol. 1, The Standard of Truth, 1815–1846 [2018], 73–75

• Larry E. Morris, “The Experience of the Three Witnesses,” in Revelations in Context (2016), 25–28

• “Whitmer Farm: A Place of Miracles” (video; watch from time code 9:20 to 11:45), ChurchofJesusChrist.org

Why is the testimony of the Three Witnesses so significant?

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency taught:

Each of the three had ample reason and opportunity to renounce his testimony if it had been false, or to equivocate on details if any had been inaccurate. As is well known, because of disagreements or jealousies involving other leaders of the Church, each one of these Three Witnesses was excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by about eight years after the publication of their testimony. All three went their separate ways, with no common interest to support a collusive effort. Yet to the end of their lives—periods ranging from 12 to 50 years after their excommunications—not one of these witnesses deviated from his published testimony or said anything that cast any shadow on its truthfulness.

Furthermore, their testimony stands uncontradicted by any other witnesses. Reject it one may, but how does one explain three men of good character uniting and persisting in this published testimony to the end of their lives in the face of great ridicule and other personal disadvantage? Like the Book of Mormon itself, there is no better explanation than is given in the testimony itself, the solemn statement of good and honest men who told what they saw. (Dallin H. Oaks, “The Witness: Martin Harris,” Ensign, May 1999, 36)

What testimony did each of the Three Witnesses bear at the end of their lives?

Oliver Cowdery (1806–1850) testified:

I am a dying man, and what would it profit me to tell you a lie? I know … that this Book of Mormon was translated by the gift and power of God. My eyes saw, my ears heard, and my understanding was touched, and I know that whereof I testified is true. It was no dream, no vain imagination of the mind—it was real. (Jacob F. Gates, “Testimony of Jacob Gates,” Improvement Era, Mar. 1912, 418–19)

David Whitmer (1805–1888) testified:

On Sunday evening, at 5:30 (Jan. 22, 1888), Mr. Whitmer called his family and some friends to his bedside. … He then addressed himself to all around his bedside in these words: “Now you must all be faithful in Christ. I want to say to you all, the Bible and the record of the Nephites (Book of Mormon) is true, so you can say that you have heard me bear my testimony on my death-bed. All be faithful in Christ, and your reward will be according to your works. God bless you all. My trust is in Christ forever, worlds without end. Amen.” (Richmond Democrat, Feb. 2, 1888, quoted in Andrew Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 4 vols. [1901], 1:270)

Martin Harris (1783–1875) testified:

Yes, I did see the plates on which the Book of Mormon was written; I did see the angel; I did hear the voice of God; and I do know that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God, holding the keys of the Holy Priesthood. (“The Last Testimony of Martin Harris,” recorded by William H. Homer in a statement sworn before J. W. Robinson, Apr. 9, 1927, quoted in Francis W. Kirkham, A New Witness for Christ in America, 2 vols. [1960], 1:254)

Doctrine and Covenants 17:4. How was Joseph Smith blessed by the testimony of the Three Witnesses?

Immediately after the Three Witnesses had their experience with the angel, Joseph Smith returned to the Whitmer home and exclaimed to his parents: “Father, mother; you do not know [how] happy I am; the Lord has now caused the plates to be shown to three more besides myself.—they have seen an angel, who has testified to them; and they will have to bear witness to the truth of what I have said; for now they know for themselves, that I do not go about to deceive the people. And I feel as if I was relieved of a burden, which was almost [too] heavy for me to bear; and it rejoices my heart, that I am not any longer to be entirely alone in the world.” (“Lucy Mack Smith, History, 1845,” 154, josephsmithpapers.org)

Supplemental Learning Activities

“The Testimony of Eight Witnesses”

To help students study “The Testimony of the Eight Witnesses,” you could read their testimony in the introductory pages of the Book of Mormon. You could also read 2 Nephi 27:13. The video “A Day for the Eternities“ from time code 18:17 to 18:38 depicts their experience. You could discuss the significance of their testimony and how their experience was different from the Three Witnesses.

Mary Whitmer is a witness of the gold plates

Consider sharing Mary Whitmer’s experience:

When Joseph, Emma, and Oliver moved into the Whitmer home, it increased the burden of Mary Whitmer. She already tended to the needs of her husband and eight children who lived at the home or nearby. Although Mary did not complain about the additional work, she was becoming weary.

“One day, while she was out by the barn where the cows were milked, she saw a gray-haired man with a knapsack slung across his shoulder. His sudden appearance frightened her, but as he approached, he spoke to her in a kind voice that set her at ease.

“‘My name is Moroni,’ he said. ‘You have become pretty tired with all the extra work you have to do.’ He swung the knapsack off his shoulder, and Mary watched as he started to untie it.

“‘You have been very faithful and diligent in your labors,’ he continued. ‘It is proper, therefore, that you should receive a witness that your faith may be strengthened.’

“Moroni opened his knapsack and removed the gold plates. He held them in front of her and turned their pages so she could see the writings on them. After he turned the last page, he urged her to be patient and faithful as she carried the extra burden a little longer. He promised she would be blessed for it.

“The old man vanished a moment later, leaving Mary alone. She still had work to do, but that no longer troubled her” (Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days, vol. 1, The Standard of Truth, 1815–1846 [2018], 70–71).

You could also show the video “Mary Whitmer Sees the Gold Plates” (2:26) or “Whitmer Farm: A Place of Miracles” (15:42; watch from time code 5:06 to 6:09).

Our witness of the Book of Mormon

You could also discuss how we can gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon. Consider sharing the video “Book of Mormon Testimonies” (3:46) and inviting willing students to share a testimony of the Book of Mormon or scripture passages from the book that are meaningful to them.